Miriam Tawil is the founder and director of Eshel. She received her Master’s of Jewish philosophy from Yeshiva University.
Eshel’s mission is to provide the students with the opportunity to build the foundation of their adult lives by dedicating time toward their personal, spiritual, intellectual and religious growth as they experience life in Israel. Courses include all areas of Tanakh, Jewish thought, Sephardic halacha and customs, Sephardi history with tiyulim (tours), psychology and modern Israeli history.
Students will have the privilege of interacting with leaders in the Jewish world. They will gain practical leadership and organization skills and will have the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to a hesed project of their choice. They may choose from a wide variety of hesed projects including working with children, the elderly, new immigrants, the developmentally disabled, soup kitchens and much more.
Eshel will be located at The Sephardic Educational Center (SEC) which is situated in the Jewish quarter of the old city of Jerusalem, only steps from the Western Wall. The SEC consists of three buildings, the oldest of which has stood for centuries and was given to the Sephardic community of Jerusalem by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries these three buildings have hosted thousands of students, scholars, and rabbis both from Israel and the Diaspora.
The students will quickly become familiar with the land of Israel as they tour various parts of the country, appreciating Israel’s ancient past and the contemporary reality as well. The students will be inspired monthly by guest speakers comprised of the best and most talented teachers in the world of Jewish education. Students will also be able to participate in exciting and motivating extra-curricular activities including Cooking with Kady (Harari), yoga and painting.
Eshel’s staff is hand picked to provide an intense learning experience which combines textual study and inspiration to encourage students’ spiritual and religious growth by applying theory of life. Students may earn college credit in accordance with individual school policy and will dorm together in a newly renovated dorm at the SEC. An experienced madricha (dorm counselor) will live with the students and be available to oversee and help them.
Shabbatot will be especially enjoyable as students experience Shabbat in the familiar warmth of Sephardic community families in Jerusalem, Efrat, Alon Shevut and Beit Shemesh. The year long program will run from September to June. The half year program will run from September to mid-January. The tuition per semester is $9,800. Partial scholarships are based on need and availability. Student Sylvia Ashkenazie said, “my half year in Israel was indescribable and I can’t imagine my life without it.” It is a remarkable place of knowledge and growth.
For more information email Miriam Tawil at smtawil@yahoo.com.
_____________
Sarah Gothelf is a senior at Magen David Yeshivah.
